The Scottish Chambers of Commerce is working with businesses in Scotland to help strengthen the relationship with India.
With a population anticipated to reach 1.4 billion by 2025, India is the world’s largest democracy.
India remains a priority country for Scotland’s international commitment, and we are dedicated to a partnership that has mutual benefit, allowing both countries to achieve their goals.
With India’s large population, the demand for energy is very high and the Indian Government recognises that it needs a strategy that will enable it to transition to a more sustainable energy mix.
Scotland is forging ahead in the commercial development of hydrogen and £100M will be pumped into Scotland’s hydrogen industry over the next five years to achieve the hydrogen economy vision set out by the Scottish Government. Hydrogen produced from renewables is the ideal long-term solution for a net zero future. It will take several years to develop hydrogen production at a fully commercial scale but the opportunities that hydrogen bring as a decarbonised industry could be the key to Scotland achieve its net zero goals.
There are many reasons that Scotland is the right choice for companies in India looking to develop hydrogen solutions. None more so than the fact that we have the raw energy potential, infrastructure, skills and supply chain.
Seona Shand, International Trade Director at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Companies from all around the globe have chosen Scotland because of the incredible opportunities on offer. Renewable energy is a priority, not just for Scotland, but for everyone. That’s why we’re committed to finding ever-greener and cleaner methods of powering the modern world.
“It’s vitally important that we engage directly with businesses in India, as well as academia and cultural communities. We want to show them what Scotland has to offer. Working with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry at this roundtable allows us to create an environment in Scotland that supports a better understanding of international opportunities in the green hydrogen market, and a greater ability to seize them.”
Mr Bijay Selvaraj, Consul General of India in Edinburgh, added: “India has announced a 50% reduction in fossil fuel emission by 2030 and a net zero target by 2070. Green Hydrogen has been identified as one of the key technologies to achieve this goal. The Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry have put together this round table to bring Scottish and Indian industries around the same table. We look forward to subsequent exchange visits of business leaders and innovators to take this discussion forward.”
